WISE - - The Little Rock Touchdown Club and Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP announced that UVa-Wise junior linebacker Zachary Blair has been named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. Given annually to the top small-college defensive football player in the country, Blair is one of three Mountain East Conference players to be named a finalist for the award. The news comes a week after Blair finished third in balloting for the Lanier Award which is given annually to Virginia's top small-college football player.

Representing more than 5,000 defensive players from nearly 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities the award is in its third year of existence.

An overall winner will be announced on December 24 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet in February 2016. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris. Additionally, the top vote getters from each division will be announced. A prestigious group of former college and pro football greats serve on the Cliff Harris Award Committee.

A two-time First-Team All-MEC honoree, Blair has also been a two-time all-region performer. This season, the Front Royal, Virginia (Skyline H.S.) native set a single-season school record for tackles for loss with 28.5 while also leading all of NCAA Division II in the category. The junior ranked top 20 nationally in four separate defensive categories.

His 119 tackles led UVa-Wise and ranked second in the MEC. Earlier this month, the Richmond Times Dispatch named Blair the state's top small-college linebacker.

For more information about the Cliff Harris Award please visit: www.cliffharrisaward.com